The first half of the 2023 fantasy football season is now behind us, and we’ve seen a number of players either exceed expectations or come out of nowhere to lead our squads on the road to the playoffs. Five players in particular have been at the top of the statistical mountain, making their cases to be named our first-half fantasy MVP.
Let’s take a look at this group of superstars, one of whom wasn’t even selected in the top 50 in fantasy football drafts. Who’s been your fantasy MVP to this point?
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
McCaffrey has been every bit the fantasy stud we were expecting to draft in the top three overall picks, averaging 24.4 PPR points. That leads all running backs. He’s been a touchdown machine, finding the end zone 13 times and at least once in each of his first eight games. What’s more, he’s scored at least once in each of his last 17 games dating back to last season. Imagine betting a CMC anytime touchdown in all of those games? Regardless, McCaffrey has been an elite fantasy choice.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
Hill predicted in the preseason that he was going to go for 2,000 receiving yards this season. So far, he’s on pace to accomplish that goal. The star wideout leads all NFL players in PPR points per game, averaging a bananas 26.7, and he’s scored at least 25 points in all but two of his first five games. Heading into Week 8, Hill was on pace to finish with 2,190 yards and more importantly, 453.9 PPR points. That would be the most of any wide receiver in a single season in the history of the league.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
Allen, who was the WR17 in the month of August based on ADP data at the NFFC, is second only to Hill in terms of fantasy points scored per game among wideouts. He’s scored at least 21 points in three of his first six games, including a 45.5-point explosion in Week 3 in which he posted 215 yards and also threw for a touchdown. With Justin Herbert throwing the ball downfield more often and Mike Williams out for the season, Allen should continue to put up electric numbers in the second half.
Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins
Tell me which one of these five players doesn’t fit? That player is Mostert, who has been one of if not the best bargain in 2023 fantasy drafts. He entered this weekend second in fantasy points among running backs, and that comes despite the fact that his average draft position in August on the NFFC website was RB47. That’s right, 46 backs were picked ahead of Mostert! He has averaged 20.8 fantasy points in the first half, and his 11 total touchdowns in seven games is already a career best.
Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
Is Kelce a fantasy MVP candidate, or is it Taylor Swift? Alright, I’m kidding, but the stud tight end has been no anti-hero in fantasy with 124.5 points in his first six games. He’s scored 19-plus points in all but one game since he started dating the talented performer, and Kelce has averaged more than 20 PPR points overall. In fact, he’s averaging five more points than the next-best tight end in the first half. Even at the age of 34, Kelce continues to dominate in the fantasy stat sheets.
